# Assam makes 70% attendance must for student schemes 2026-09-16T19:26:27+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Assam Education Minister Dr Ranoj Pegu on Wednesday said students in government and provincialised colleges and higher secondary schools must maintain at least 70% attendance to continue availing state schemes and scholarships. The rule applies to the fee waiver, Nijut Moina and Nijut Babu schemes, he said. Students who fail to meet the threshold will be removed from the schemes. Principals can grant exemptions for natural calamities, health emergencies or a death in the family. Pegu said he had asked student organisations for alternative suggestions but received no response. Pegu spoke on the sidelines of a programme distributing National Post-Matric Scholarships for Scheduled Tribe students, where Rs 194.55 crore was given to 1,66,124 students for three academic years. The move follows concerns over student absenteeism, with 5.5 lakh school students previously reported absent. ## Indian Opinion Analysis The 70% rule aligns Assam with a growing trend among states linking attendance to welfare benefits. Under the Right to Education Act, schools must ensure regular attendance, but higher education is not covered by that mandate, giving states discretion. The government's leverage is the fee waiver money paid directly to institutions, which the minister warned would be lost if students are removed from the scheme. The Nijut Moina and Nijut Babu schemes are recent state initiatives for girls and general students respectively. The next check will be on how institutions enforce the rule and whether student organisations now respond to the minister's call for alternative proposals before the next academic session. ## Coverage - assamtribune.com Tags: Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, Nijut Babu, Nijut Moina, Ranoj Pegu Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/assam-makes-70-attendance-must-for-student-schemes/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/assam-makes-70-attendance-must-for-student-schemes/#story-in-brief